In a few days, we will be celebrating our music and shows together, on the occasion of the 44e ADISQ Gala (Quebec Association of the Record, Entertainment and Video Industry). This will be an opportunity for many to reconnect with their favorite artists or discover new ones. Like the summer we spent, this gala will be the first in three years without health constraints. At the dawn of this great celebration, what is the first assessment that we can make of the resumption of the show?
Posted yesterday at 10:00 a.m.
Several artists have sounded the alarm against resale sites, calling on the public to be extremely vigilant when buying show tickets.
In a context where inflation is hurting consumer budgets, it is more important than ever to pay the right price. The best way to ensure this is to purchase tickets directly from the venue’s website or from the artist’s website.
Gradual return of the public
Although streaming venues have theoretically been able to sell out for several months now, audiences aren’t fully back yet. Among the answers, in a survey conducted by the firm Léger on behalf of ADISQ last March, we learn that intentions to attend musical performances vary according to the age of the respondent. Not surprisingly, the youngest want to attend more concerts than before the pandemic, while those aged 55 and over are a little more reluctant.
This gradual return adds to a phenomenon of congestion, while many artists who have not been able to perform for two years naturally wish to present their work to the public. It is the riskier projects, in particular productions by emerging artists or artists working in specialized niches, that suffer the most from this situation.
Last minute purchases
A new trend is emerging in purchasing behavior. Spectators wait until the very last moment to buy their tickets, which generates uncertainty and makes planning more difficult for organizers. The postponements and cancellations forced by the pandemic have certainly contributed to forging these new behaviors.
Another effect possibly resulting from the pandemic, the number of requests for exchanges or refunds of tickets would be on the rise. Customers no longer hesitate to contact the box office to make changes to their reservation. These change requests require more time from ticket office employees, in a context where labor is scarce and where teams are often overworked.
Inflation and labor shortage
Inflation and the labor shortage, the watchwords of recent months, are obviously important elements of the equation.
The effects of inflation are multiple: on the one hand it affects the household budget, on the other it increases the production costs of shows.
While set costs or touring fees have jumped, the most recent data published by the Observatoire de la culture et des communications du Québec show that the average ticket price for French-language vocal music shows tends to stagnate at less than $35. The public’s willingness to pay for this type of event does not increase.
This observation may seem contradictory with certain comments conveyed in the media in recent weeks. The dynamic pricing of certain major international productions combined with the phenomenon of ticket resales certainly contributes to this perception.
Like other sectors of the economy, the labor shortage also affects entertainment. The shutdown of activities during the pandemic has caused many departures and many will not return. This drain of skills affects the functioning of companies while adding to team fatigue. This situation also creates upward pressure on wages, increasing production costs.
Choose our artists
At a time of budget choices and the approach of the holidays, why not opt for local artists?
In addition to supporting our artists and artisans, choosing a local show also means giving yourself the opportunity to see and discover a greater number of artists. Like the galas presented this week, our musical production is rich, beautiful and diversified. Let’s meet around our artists, simply because they deserve it!